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Jack Beckman leads Funny Car qualifying in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) Jack Beckman powered to quickest Funny Car run in NHRA history Friday night in qualifying for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Beckman finished with a record time of 3.921 seconds at 323.43 mph in a Dodge Charger. He can certify the run as a national record by posting another run within one percent of that performance during the remainder of the weekend.

''We're in a wonderful position right now,'' said Beckman, who will earn a 20-point bonus if he can set a national record. ''I am the luckiest guy in a fuel coupe right now. The second session tomorrow should be good and that will be the one where we shoot for the national record. I think you will see several more threes tomorrow, definitely in the second session.''

Teammate Matt Hagan, the season points leader, was second at 3.967 with the fastest Funny Car speed in history, at 325.77.

Antron Brown was the fastest in Top Fuel, Chris McGaha led in Pro Stock, and series leader Eddie Krawiec had the Pro Stock Motorcycle lead.

Brown also broke the track time record, finishing in 3.707 and 326.95. McGaha had a track-record time of 6.499 at 212.36 in a Chevrolet Camaro, and Krawiec finished in 6.843 at 194.27 on a Harley-Davidson.